1. Line tray with wax paper. Wash apples; dry thoroughly. Insert wooden stick into stem end of each apple; place on prepared tray. 2. Place chocolate chips, 2/3 cup peanut butter chips and 1/4 cup shortening in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, just until chips are melted when stirred. Dip bottom three-fourths of each apple into mixture. Twirl and gently shake to remove excess; return to prepared tray. 3. Place remaining 1 cup peanut butter chips and remaining 2 tablespoons shortening in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, just until chips are melted when stirred. Spoon over top section of each apple, allowing to drip down sides. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

In a 7.5 liter stockpot (a really big one!) over medium heat, warm the oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the carrots, onion and dried basil and saute, stirring occasionally, until softened, 10-12 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, including the puree, and the broth and bring just to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes to blend the flavors. Remove from heat.

Using a stick-immersion blender, puree the soup in the pot. (If you don't have one of those, get one! or, working in batches, puree the soup in a blender or food processor fitted with the metal blade.)

Return the pureed soup to the saucepan, add the cream, and place over medium heat. Warm until heated through. Season to taste with Salt and Pepper. Ladle the soup into a warmed soup tureen or individual bowls, garnish with the basil, serve immediately.

Be warned, this recipe is a double-batch. It EASILY serves 12-15 people. Halve this for a normal sized starter to feed 6. I made the mistake of just starting to cook...and then I realized I'd have to get out a second stockpot. And yes, use DRIED basil. If you use fresh basil to start, it'll just lose it's entire flavor. This is one of the few times (oregano is another) where I have no problem using the dried stuff.

After all the above ingredients are added, add either 5 Chicken Breasts, cooked and cubed or 2-3 cans Chicken ( I usually just use canned because it saves me time and you would never know the difference.) You can add the Chicken just about 20 minutes before serving. This soup is better the longer you let it simmer.

Boil Chicken , place in bowl and pour 1/2 can enchilada sauce in and shred.Pour other 1/2 of sauce in bottom of a 9x13 pan. You can add chiles or pico salsa to chicken mixture to spice it up a bit if you like..Fill each tortilla with chicken and some cheese. Roll.Cram as many into pan as you desire,.,,Pour the remaining can of sauce on top and the rest of the cheese and VOILA...Warm in oven on 350 for about 30 min. I like to broil at the end for about 5 min to brown the cheese.This is also a good recipe if you like beef enchiladas.. Use red sauce, cheddar cheese and 1 lb ground or shredded beef..

Friday, August 1

So I totally stole this recipe off my sis-in-laws blog, but i love them the most!! They are so scrumdilliumptious!!!!

1/4 cup salted butter

6 eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Turn oven to 400 degrees. Put butter in 9x13 pan and place in oven while it preheats. Do not let it burn! Mix the rest of the ingredients in a blender till combined. Pour batter in pan and bake for 18-22 minutes. Do not open the oven till Monsters are golden and puffy. Serve with syrup, jam or powdered sugar.

Put the pork in a heavy duty ziploc bag to marinade. Add about a can and a half of coke and about 1/4 c. of brown sugar. Marinade for a few hours or overnight.

Drain marinade and put pork, 1/2 can of coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot on high for about 3-4 hours (or until it shreds easily, but don't let it get TOO dry). Remove pork from crock pot and drain any liquid left in the pot. Shred pork.

In a food processor or blender, blend 1/2 can Coke, chilies, enchilada sauce and remaining brown sugar (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste..). If it looks too thick, add more Coke little by little.

In a saucepan combine rice, butter, garlic, 1 tsp. lime, chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender. Remove from heat. In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar and cilantro. Pour over hot cooked rice and mix in as you fluff the rice.

In a nonstick skillet, cook garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it. Add beans, tomato juice, and salt. Continually stir until heated through. Just before serving stir in the cilantro.

Chop Onion and place in the bottom of a Crockpot. Place Roast on top of onions. Pour both cans over roast. Mix the Au Jus Package with 1/2 C. Cooking Sherry and pour over Roast. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the meat begins to shred. Before serving place Deli style rolls on baking sheet and spread with butter, garlic salt and provolone cheese (pepperjack is good to for a little kick) and broil until brown. Put the meat on the rolls to make sandwiches and serve the remainder of the juice from the Crockpot as the Au Jus dipping Sauce. So easy and so good...Enjoy!!!

Preparation:Boil whole chicken with onion and/or carrot, salt and pepper.When fully cooked, tear meat off bone in small pieces and set aside.

Instructions:Place broccoli in bottom of a casserole dish. Place chicken over broccoli;sprinkle with pepper and paprika. Combine soup, mayonnaise, milk,curry powder and lemon juice. Spread on top of chicken. You cansprinkle with paprika or grated cheese. Bake at 350 for 35 - 45 min.Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Follow all directions on Pillsbury Crescents exactly except before you roll them smear a glob of your favorite flavored cream cheese. My favorite is strawberry. You can also do regular flavor cream cheese and add honey and your favorite nuts, pecans, walnuts, etc. I've also heard of tuna mixes or cheese. So basically whatever you can think up to put inside would work. So fast and easy! Makes a yummy side to add to any meal.